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Taboo definition

tăbo͝o, tə-
tabooed tabooing taboos tabus
See word origin
Frequency:
Excluded or forbidden from use, approach, or mention.

A taboo subject.

adjective
9
3
A ban or inhibition resulting from social custom or emotional aversion.
noun
7
2
Sacred and prohibited by taboo.
adjective
7
3
To put under taboo.
verb
4
1
Prohibited or forbidden by tradition, convention, etc.
adjective
5
3
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Restricted by taboo.
adjective
3
1
To prohibit or forbid because of tradition, convention, etc.
verb
3
2
A taboo is defined as a restriction or something not allowed by a culture.

An example of a taboo in some cultures is a man marrying a woman of another race.

noun
1
0
To exclude from use, approach, or mention; place under taboo.
verb
1
1
The definition of taboo is something prohibited, forbidden or restricted.

An example of taboo is alcohol which is drunk while pregnant.

adjective
0
0
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A prohibition, especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands, excluding something from use, approach, or mention because of its sacred and inviolable nature.
noun
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0
An object, word, or act protected by such a prohibition.
noun
0
0
Among some Polynesian peoples, a sacred prohibition put upon certain people, things, or acts which makes them untouchable, unmentionable, etc.
noun
0
0
Any social prohibition or restriction that results from convention or tradition.
noun
0
0
(linguis.) The substitution of one word or phrase for another because of such restriction.
noun
0
0
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An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.
noun
0
0
(in Polynesia) Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.
noun
0
0
Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.

Incest is a taboo subject in most soap operas.

adjective
0
0
Culturally forbidden.
adjective
0
0
To mark as taboo.
verb
0
0
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To ban.
verb
0
0
To avoid.
verb
0
0
The highly developed system or practice of such prohibitions.
noun
0
1

Alternative Forms

Alternative Form of taboo - tapu, tabu

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
taboo
Plural:
taboos

Origin of taboo

  • Tongan tabu under prohibition from Proto-Polynesian tapu

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Tongan tapu (“prohibited"). The word entered English around 1777. Ultimately from Proto-Polynesian *tapu.

    From Wiktionary

Taboo Sentence Examples

  • The word holiness (qodesh) in primitive Hebrew usage partook of the nature of taboo, and came to be applied to whatever, whether thing or person, stood in close relation to deity and belonged to him, and could not, therefore, be used or treated like other objects not so related, and so was separated or stood apart.

  • The custom of taboo was very fully developed.

  • Disease and death were often connected with the violation of taboo, the offended gods thus punishing the offenders.

  • There are various other subjects and occasions of taboo, but the institution has not the oppressive and all-pervading character which it has in Polynesia.

  • They were feared, too, as ministers of the taboo and were entitled to pronounce a kind of excommunication for offences against its rules.

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